Making the Most of a Masters Degree Program Focused on Climate and Energy

Gabe applied to Johns Hopkins SAIS because he wanted to gain a well-rounded education in international affairs and a deeper understanding of the complexities of climate and renewable energy policy. He believed the school’s Energy, Resources and Environment program would provide that depth, as well as the wide variety of quantitative skills and qualitative knowledge he will need to be competitive upon graduation. He also feels that the school’s language program is top-notch, especially his Portuguese language instructors.

After completing his undergraduate degree in international development from UC Berkeley, Gabe served one year with Americorps at an inner-city high school. Following that he opened and managed a hostel in Essaouira, Morocco. After returning to California, he managed a corporate training program for a telecommunications company and later interned for his local state assembly member.

Gabe began his graduate studies at SAIS Europe in Bologna, Italy where he served as an ERE student coordinator. While in Bologna he organized a school trip to the COP (UN climate conference) in Marrakesh, participated in an ERE sponsored FEST (Frontiers in Energy Science and Technology) research trip to Brazil, and attended an offshore wind conference in London.

Last summer Gabe interned at the Environmental Defense Fund where he conducted a cost benefit analysis regarding Brazil’s participation in the voluntary phase of the new international aviation climate treaty, CORSIA.

This year Gabe is the co-president of the school’s Energy and Environment Club. He is also a member of an ERE practicum team working with the client organization, The Center for a New Economy. His team is preparing a report on alternative energy regulations and systems that would increase Puerto Rico’s energy resilience and sustainability. They plan to visit Puerto Rico in the spring.

After graduating, Gabe plans to either be a climate negotiator, work for a nonprofit focused on climate policy, or work for a renewable energy company.